For Mata, though, he believes the player who has the biggest influence is another star signed by the Old Trafford club eight years ago, but the answer may not go down well with some sections of the Red Devils support.

Juan Mata says Ashley Young is the biggest influence in the Man Utd dressing room (Image: John Peters)

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"Ashley Young is a leader in the dressing room and he gets everyone ready for the games," revealed the ex-Chelsea playmaker in a promotional campaign to announce Chivas as United's new global spirits partner.

The answer is not all that surprising given Young was named as captain by boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Antonio Valencia's departure in the summer.

However, the England international drew criticism from a host of Red Devils fans for his displays last term, with his showing against Barcelona in the Champions League attracting particular ire.

The 34-year-old moved to Old Trafford in 2011 from Aston Villa for a fee reportedly close to £20m and went on to make his debut in the success over fierce rivals Manchester City in that season's Community Shield.

Young has been handed the Utd captaincy by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season (Image: Catherine Ivill)